Exploring access to HIV-related services and programmatic gaps for Men having Sex with Men (MSM) in rural India- a qualitative study.

Background: Despite the Link Worker Scheme to address the HIV risk and vulnerabilities in rural areas, reaching out to unreached men having sex with men (MSM) remains a challenge in rural India. This study explored issues around health care access and programmatic gaps among MSM in rural settings of India.

Methods: We conducted eight Focused Group Discussions (FGDs), 20 Key Informant Interviews (KIIs), and 20 In-Depth Interviews (IDIs) in four rural sites in Maharashtra, Odisha, Madhya Pradesh, and Uttar Pradesh between November 2018 and September 2019.

Emotional distress among adolescents living with perinatal HIV in India: examining predictors and their mediating and moderating effects.

Background: Development of emotional distress (ED) among adolescents living with perinatally acquired HIV (ALPHIV) affects their adherence behaviour and social and psychological functioning. Data on stressors among ALPHIV demonstrates the gap on the predictors of ED experienced by 'perinatally infected ALHIV' in the Indian socio-cultural milieu. This study aimed to identify the predictors of ED and examine their mediating and moderating role in the development of ED among Indian ALPHIV.

Prevention of recurrence of bacterial vaginosis using lactobacilli-containing vaginal tablets among women with HIV: a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blinded phase IV trial.

Objectives: The effectiveness of lactobacilli-containing vaginal tablets (VT) in bacterial vaginosis (BV) recurrence prevention among women infected with HIV treated with standard oral metronidazole in Pune, India was studied.

Methods: Women infected with HIV with confirmed BV diagnosis (Nugent score ≥7 and Amsel criteria >3) were enrolled in a 12-month, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, phase IV study between 2018 and 2021. After a standard course of oral metronidazole for 7 days (400 mg three times a day), women were randomly assigned to either lactobacilli-containing or placebo VT arms to receive VTs for 4 months.

A Couples-Based Intervention (Ghya Bharari Ekatra) for the Primary Prevention of Intimate Partner Violence in India: Pilot Feasibility and Acceptability Study.

Background: The high global prevalence of intimate partner violence (IPV) and its association with poor physical and mental health underscore the need for effective primary prevention. We previously developed Ghya Bharari Ekatra (GBE), a couples-based primary prevention intervention for IPV among newly married couples residing in slum communities in Pune, India.

Objective: Through this pilot study, we aimed to explore the acceptance, safety, feasibility, and preliminary efficacy of GBE.

A Qualitative Exploration to Understand the Sexual Behavior and Needs of Young Adults: A Study Among College Students of Pune, India.

Objective: Youth and adolescents are the priority population to target the interventions as risky behaviors persist and they contribute to almost half of the new Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infections. The youth in India have a unique and diverse need of sex health education. The present study was conducted with the objective to understand their sexual behavior and requirements of sexual health.

Incomplete functional T-cell reconstitution in immunological non-responders at one year after initiation of antiretroviral therapy possibly predisposes them to infectious diseases.

Background: Immunological non-responders (INR) represent a unique category of HIV-infected patients on antiretroviral therapy. These patients have suppressed viremia but a suboptimal increase in CD4 cell count, which might have opposing effects on functional immune reconstitution. Hence, the extent of immune reconstitution in INR patients was investigated in order to determine their susceptibility to opportunistic infections.

GeneXpert HIV-1 quant assay, a new tool for scale up of viral load monitoring in the success of ART programme in India.

Background: Recent WHO guidelines identify virologic monitoring for diagnosing and confirming ART failure. In view of this, validation and scale up of point of care viral load technologies is essential in resource limited settings.

Methods: A systematic validation of the GeneXpert® HIV-1 Quant assay (a point-of-care technology) in view of scaling up HIV-1 viral load in India to monitor the success of national ART programme was carried out.

HIV drug-resistance early-warning indicators and quality care in India: preliminary findings from a pilot study in Pune city.

Background: India has rapidly scaled up its programme for antiretroviral therapy (ART). There is high potential for the emergence of HIV drug resistance (HIVDR), with an increasing number of patients on ART. It is not feasible to perform testing for HIVDR using laboratory genotyping, owing to economic constraints.

Cognitive Function among HIV Infected Children in Pune.

Objective: To assess cognitive function of school-aged, perinatally acquired human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected, antiretroviral therapy (ART) naïve children in Pune.

Methods: HIV infected ART naïve children (n = 50) between 6 and 12 y attending outpatient clinic were administered the Indian Child Intelligence Test (ICIT) after their clinical evaluation. Age and gender matched HIV uninfected children (n = 50) were enrolled as controls.